Agenda item

To note the information within the report and to note the encouraging progress towards realising the savings’ schemes for 2019/20 and previous years.

Presented by Cllr Ioan Thomas

DECISION

To note the information within the report and to note the encouraging progress towards realising the savings’ schemes for 2019/20 and previous years.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted, noting that this was a report that was submitted regularly to the Cabinet to provide an overview of the savings situation following the performance reports of the Cabinet Members submitted in July. It was expressed that £32m in savings had been approved to be realised since 2015/16. 

It was added that 96% of the savings schemes from 2015/16 to 2018/19 had now been realised. It was expressed that there had been some slippage in some schemes, and that these were mainly from 2017/18. Attention was drawn to schemes that had slipped in the Education Department, Adults, Health and Well-being Department and the Children and Supporting Families Department.

It was noted that from the savings scheme for 2019/20, 36% of the schemes had been realised, and another 34% were on track to being realised in full and on time by the end of the financial year. It was expressed that 24 schemes were either slipping, or had risks with regard to being realised, and that three schemes were yet to receive approval by the Cabinet. Attention was drawn to the schemes that had a risk in terms of being realised; it was expressed that the Cabinet Members felt that the progress that was being made was reasonable, but that the signs of difficulties with realising the schemes were highlighted. It was emphasised that every effort would be made to attempt to realise the schemes that had slipped, and that Cabinet Members would continue to monitor the situation.

It was emphasised that in October, all departments would report to their Scrutiny Committee on how they intended to cope with any deficit that needed to be addressed in their savings schemes.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾     It was expressed that the Council had now been making efficiency savings for over 10 years, but that it was becoming more difficult.

¾     It was noted that one of the risks seen by the Highways and Municipal Service was the 'scheme to increase street enforcement income by fining more individuals who drop litter', but it was expressed that discussions were being held about this.

¾     It was expressed that the report was an overview, and that it was becoming more difficult to discover savings, but it would be possible to look at the situation properly after gaining a greater understanding of the settlement in October / November 2019.

¾     The likely settlement was discussed, noting that more funding would be given to services by the UK Government, but that the Council's settlement depended on how Welsh Government would allocate that funding. It was expressed that there was a need to send a message to Welsh Government, calling on them to fund pay and pension inflation, and it was suggested that the austerity was possibly not over.

¾     It was noted that there was a need to congratulate the Council on their work and the fact that 96% of the plans had been realised.